Hearing the Elf Queen's words, the fervent atmosphere immediately returned, but it was naturally much quieter than before in respect for her authority.
Seeing this, she smiled lightly and continued. Though, that smile was enough to make it so some young men and even women had a hard time concentrating on her words.
"As you all know, the opening of the Primordial Undying Realm is a once every 10,000-year opportunity. It isn't something just anyone can be a part of. But, I am obligated to warn you that the risks are just as bountiful as the rewards.
"It is almost a guarantee that most of you will die in this realm, but the ones who survive will obtain the potential to surpass even us peak existences within the 3000 Beast Mountain Range. I'm warning you all now, if you can't bear the risks, this is the time to retreat."
She stood silently and watched the crowd of geniuses, but as expected, not a single one moved. Which of them hadn't been aware of the risks when they signed up for this? Which of them was a coward who'd let such things bar their path forward? None! That was the answer!
The Elf Queen let out another light smile. "As expected, this isn't enough to stop any of you. Very well, I shall admire your courage as true geniuses, even if you fall in this excursion, know that you have proven yourselves.
"The Primordial Undying Realm is a land of trials. The fruits of the Primordial Undying Tree aren't the only rewards that you can obtain within, so do not be disheartened if you cannot obtain one in the end.
"Although I do not wish to see any promising seedlings die, I am unable to stop you from entering. Remember, the calamities that may come in the future will require your strength, so be courageous and push forth, no matter the obstacle."
Damien's eyes sharpened at her words. Coming calamity? There was only one that was of large enough scale that he could think of. It was the same one that had been following him around no matter where he went.
But how could the Elf Queen know about it? Wasn't she trapped within the 3000 Beast Mountain Range? Even the White Dragon King, who had been from the outside world, hadn't mentioned anything of the sort.
'As I thought, the presence of the elves in this world is unnatural.'
His eyes gained a hint of solemnity. He had no way to ascertain whether the calamity the Elf Queen mentioned was indeed the Nox, but his instincts were telling him that his guess was on the mark.
And when had his instincts failed him? When he was pushed into the dungeon; when he met Zara, when he discovered the Ancient Temple on Godspark Mountain, each and every time his instincts had led him on the correct path. It would be stupid to start doubting them now.
'I need to find some way to get into contact with the Elf Queen once I exit the secret realm. If she actually has information about the Nox, it is imperative that I get my hands on it.'
Suddenly, the elven participants in the trial seemed a lot more interesting to Damien.
'They are the key. Perhaps, if I can forge a connection with them, I'll be able to gain an audience with the Queen.'
Shaking his head, he refocused his attention. First, he needed to survive the coming dangers. Only then would such plans be able to be set forth into motion.
While he was in thought, the Elf Queen had already finished her speech. At this moment, she had her back facing the crowd, her attention focused on the World Tree in front of her.
Raising her hands, a jade green mana that matched the tone of her hair began emanating from her body.
'Life element. Or rather, Life Laws.'
It was familiar. After all, Elena possessed the same element.
Paying no heed to the speechless crowd behind her, the Elf Queen began to chant in a low voice.
"By the Grace of the Almighty Protector, with the Authority bestowed upon me by the seeds of Yggdrasil, I call upon the World Tree. Open the gates between Heaven and Hell. The Primordial Spirit of Immortality, hear my call. The future beckons your release once again."
With every word she said, the jade green mana surrounding her became even denser. At some point, the heaven-piercing World Tree in front of her began to glow with the same light.
Its seemingly indestructible trunk began to crack lightly, creating a spiderweb that spanned several miles. The Primordial Spirit of Immortality heard her call, causing a juxtaposing black and white aura to leak from the cracks in the World Tree's trunk.
And then, that portion of the World Tree turned into motes of light that floated into the all-encompassing canopy and were absorbed.
In their place, there was a swirling mass of black and white that looked like a yin-yang symbol. Its light was beckoning, almost entrancing the geniuses present and making them move towards it without their volition.
Crack! Boom!
The ground beneath the 1,050 geniuses was torn apart as countless roots exited it. These roots then went on to wrap those geniuses within them. Pulling them towards the swirling mass in the center of the World Tree.
Naturally, the geniuses that came together were separated by this sudden change.
"Ruyue!" Damien yelled as he noticed her getting pulled apart from him.
Gritting his teeth, he reached out and tried to grab her hand. But the roots seemed to dislike his action, pulling them apart even further.
Glancing around, Ruyue noticed that everyone else was going through the same predicament. Even those two Phoenix Queens who seemed inseparable made no move to reach out to each other.
Ruyue gently bit her lip and sighed. "We will meet within the Primordial Undying Realm! If you die before that time, I swear, I will find a way to revive you and kill you myself!"
Gritting her teeth in pain, she used a technique she never thought she'd ever have use for. From her body, a blue light shot out and entered Damien's forehead.
"Wha-?" Although Damien didn't know what had just happened, seeing Ruyue's watery gaze, he shut his mouth.
"From now on, we are forever connected. If you die, then I shall be crippled near death as well. So don't die! Unless you want me to suffer a fate worse than death!"
It was as if the roots had been waiting for them to finish their interaction. The second Ruyue finished her words, she was dragged into that black and white portal and flung into the secret realm.
"That girl…" Damien smiled gently. "Well, I guess dying isn't an option anymore."
With that thought, he entered the portal as well.
Damien had never been the hoarder type. He never even saw much value in artifacts and treasures, since he had an array of skills that could always match or outclass them.
But at this moment, there was a certain feeling bubbling in his chest.
The boons of the Primordial Undying Tree, the myriad treasures he could obtain, the fruits and sap that were his main goal…
He would get his hands on them all. What belonged to him, not a single person would be able to take it from his grasp.
